igo6.] 



Telephones in Rural Districts. 



693 



to have satisfied the examiners in the preliminary honour ex- 

 aminations in natural science, in the subjects mechanics and 

 physics, chemistry and botany, to have attended approved 

 courses of instruction in certain subjects, to have passed examin- 

 ations in organic chemistry and surveying, and to satisfy the 

 delegates as regards a knowledge of mathematics. 



The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have been in com- 

 munication with the Postmaster-General with reference to the 

 recommendation made by the recent De- 



Telephones in par tmental Committee on the Fruit In- 

 Rural Districts. , , „ ; , 



dustry as to the desirability of the further 



extension of the telephone system in country districts, and 

 they are informed that for some years past the Post Office 

 has been steadily extending the trunk wire system to small 

 provincial towns, and building up local exchange systems in 

 rural districts which had previously been left untouched. There 

 has been increased activity in this branch of Post Office expan- 

 sion since, in March, 1904, Parliament granted additional funds 

 for the development of the telephone system, and it is now in 

 operation in a considerable number of towns. 



Among other extensions benefiting fruit-growers, an exchange 

 system has been established in the district of Swanley, Farning- 

 ham, Hextable, and Crockenhill ; also at Westerham, Kent, and 

 at Winchcombe in Gloucestershire. In some cases the distance 

 of towns or villages from any existing trunk wire centre renders 

 the cost of extensions prohibitive, but as the system of main 

 wires extends these difficulties will diminish. 



The Postmaster-General informs the Board that he will be 

 glad to receive any specific suggestions as to further improve- 

 ment which may be submitted on behalf of fruit-growers, and 

 also as to the localities where the need of the telephone for the 

 purposes of this industry is most pressing. 



The Board have communicated the above information to the 

 principal Fruit and Horticultural Associations and Societies, 

 and in inviting their suggestions and observations stated that 

 they would be glad to be favoured with any information which 

 they could supply as to particular places where the introduction 



